Information Overload and the Neurodivergent Brain: Why More Information Isn't Always Better
- Amelia Read
- Jun 4
- 7 min read
Dylan* is a neurodivergent university student who loves learning.
One evening, he came across a news article discussing the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
At first, he was simply curious.
He wanted to understand what AI might mean for future careers, university study, and the world around him.
So he started researching.
One article led to another.
Then a podcast.
Then a video.
Then online discussions debating whether AI would create opportunities or replace jobs entirely.
Before he realised it, several hours had passed.
Over the following days, Liam found himself thinking about it constantly. His brain felt compelled to gather more information, compare opinions, and search for certainty about what the future might look like.
The more he researched, the more conflicting information he found.
His mind felt busy.
He struggled to switch off at night.
His sleep became disrupted, and he noticed feeling increasingly tense and overwhelmed.
Eventually, Liam spoke with a trusted friend.
Rather than providing more articles or opinions, his friend gently encouraged him to reconnect with the present moment.
Together they practised a simple grounding exercise:
• 5 things you can see• 4 things you can feel• 3 things you can hear• 2 things you can smell• 1 thing you can taste
His friend also reminded him of a few helpful questions:
"What specific question am I trying to answer?"
"Have I already gathered enough information for now?"
"What action am I actually going to take with this information?"
"Do I need another article, or do I need a break?"
Most importantly, his friend said:
"If you feel yourself heading down another doom spiral, give me a call."
For Liam, the goal wasn't avoiding information.
It was learning that sometimes wellbeing comes not from finding more answers, but from knowing when to pause the search.
Many neurodivergent people have experienced moments where curiosity, uncertainty, and a genuine desire to understand something can turn into information overload.
In a world of endless information, developing trusted sources, setting boundaries around research, and staying connected to supportive people can be just as important as the information itself.
*Fictional example created for educational purposes. Not based on any specific individual.
Impact on Neurodiversity, A note from Amelia.
"I'll just quickly look that up.
Famous last words.
I can't tell you how many times I've sat down intending to spend five minutes researching something, only to look up an hour or two later wondering where the time went.
And judging by the conversations I have with clients every day, I'm not alone.
Maybe you're trying to understand ADHD medication.
Maybe you're researching autism in women.
Maybe you're looking into school supports for your child.
Maybe you're exploring hormones, histamines, burnout, nervous system regulation, supplements, trauma, sleep, or NDIS supports.
You start with one question.
Then another question pops into your head.
Then another.
Before you know it, you've got fifteen tabs open, you've watched three videos, saved two podcasts for later, read half a research article, and found six completely different opinions about what you're supposed to do next.
And somehow you're now more confused than when you started.
I think many neurodivergent people know exactly what I'm talking about.
We Live in the Age of Information
We've never had access to more information than we do right now.
At any moment, we can pull out our phones and access thousands of articles, videos, podcasts, research papers, social media posts, online communities, and now AI-generated answers.
In many ways, that's incredible.
The internet has helped countless neurodivergent people understand themselves for the first time.
It's connected people with communities, resources, advocacy, and support that simply didn't exist twenty years ago.
But there is a downside that I don't think we talk about enough.
Information itself has become a demand.
Years ago, information was often the solution.
Now, information can sometimes be the problem.
Information Isn't Just Information Anymore
One of the biggest changes I've noticed over the years is that finding information is no longer the hard part.
The hard part is figuring out what to do with it.
Every article creates another decision.
Every podcast introduces another perspective.
Every social media post presents another possibility.
Every AI answer gives you something else to think about.
The brain doesn't simply absorb information.
It has to constantly ask:
Is this true?
Is this relevant?
Does this apply to me?
Who is this person?
Can I trust them?
Should I do something with this?
That's work.
And for many neurodivergent people, it's work that's happening all day long.
Why Neurodivergent People Often Feel This More Intensely
I think there are a few reasons why information overload can hit particularly hard for autistic and ADHD brains.
Many neurodivergent people genuinely love learning.
When something is interesting, meaningful, or personally relevant, we often don't just scratch the surface.
We dive in.
Deep.
Sometimes very deep.
What starts as curiosity can quickly become a three-hour research session.
Then there's uncertainty.
Many people search for information because they want clarity.
They want certainty.
They want reassurance that they're making the right decision.
The problem is that the internet rarely provides certainty.
Instead, it usually provides fifty different opinions.
And when you're already someone who likes to think deeply, analyse possibilities, or understand things thoroughly, that can become overwhelming very quickly.
As an autistic psychologist with ADHD, I catch myself doing this too.
Sometimes I genuinely don't know whether I'm researching something because it's useful or because my brain has become convinced that the next article will finally provide the answer.
The problem is that the answer rarely arrives.
There's always another article.
Another expert.
Another opinion.
Another podcast.
Another rabbit hole.
At some point, more information stops being helpful and starts becoming noise.
Information Overload Through the CCS Lens
One of the reasons I think information overload can feel so exhausting is that it isn't just a thinking problem.
When I look at it through the CCS framework, I see demands across all three domains.
Cognitive Demands
This is the obvious one.
Your brain is trying to:
Sort information
Compare information
Remember information
Evaluate information
Prioritise information
Make decisions
Every new piece of information adds another layer of mental processing.
Chemical Demands
This part is often overlooked.
Modern technology is designed to keep our attention.
Notifications.
Breaking news.
Social media.
Endless scrolling.
Suggested videos.
"Related articles."
The brain is constantly being pulled towards novelty.
Many of us end up stuck in a cycle of:
"I'll just check one more thing."
Not because we're lazy or lacking self-control, but because our brains are wired to seek certainty and novelty.
Sensory Demands
Think about what information consumption often looks like.
A bright screen.
Multiple tabs open.
Messages coming through.
Emails arriving.
Videos playing.
Background noise.
Notifications popping up.
The nervous system isn't just processing information.
It's processing sensory input at the same time.
When all three domains are active together, it's not surprising that many people finish a research session feeling completely exhausted.
Then We Have the Reliability Problem
I think this is one of the biggest hidden demands of modern life.
We don't just have to learn information anymore.
We have to decide whether it's trustworthy.
And that takes energy.
Every time you read something online, your brain is trying to determine:
Can I trust this person?
Do they actually know what they're talking about?
Are they selling something?
Is there evidence behind this?
Does this fit with what other experts are saying?
That process requires critical thinking, working memory, executive functioning, and decision-making.
No wonder people feel tired.
Sometimes what looks like anxiety is actually cognitive overload.
What About AI?
AI has made information even more accessible.
I use it.
Many of my clients use it.
And in a lot of ways, it can be incredibly helpful.
It can summarise information.
Explain concepts in plain language.
Reduce some executive functioning demands.
Help people organise their thoughts.
But AI also creates a new challenge.
Now we don't just have to evaluate information from people.
We have to evaluate information from machines.
AI can be useful, and it can also be wrong.
Which means we're back to the same question:
Can I trust this?
The tool isn't the problem.
The challenge is learning how to evaluate information regardless of where it comes from.
So How Do We Protect Ourselves?
One thing I've noticed is that the people who seem calmest and most confident aren't necessarily the people who know the most.
They're usually the people who have learned who they trust.
They've found a handful of reliable sources.
They know where they go when they need information.
And they've stopped feeling responsible for reading everything.
A few things I often encourage people to consider:
Start with the question
Before you start researching, ask yourself:
"What am I actually trying to find out?"
Not "everything about ADHD."
Not "everything about autism."
One specific question.
Have trusted sources
Find a small number of people, organisations, or professionals whose work you trust.
Not everyone deserves equal space in your brain.
Set a stopping point
Decide before you start:
How long will I spend researching?
How many sources will I read?
What information do I need before making a decision?
Otherwise, it's very easy to keep going indefinitely.
Focus on action
Ask yourself:
"What am I going to do differently with this information?"
Because knowledge is only useful if it helps us move forward.
Maybe We Don't Need More Information
One thing I've learned from both my professional work and my own experience is that the people who seem most overwhelmed are often not lacking information.
They're drowning in it.
The issue isn't always that we need more answers.
Sometimes it's that we have too many.
In a world where information is unlimited, the goal isn't to read everything, learn everything, or become an expert in everything.
The goal is to develop good filters.
To know who you trust.
To know where to look.
To know when you've gathered enough information to make the next decision.
And perhaps most importantly, to give yourself permission to stop searching.
Because sometimes the most helpful thing you can do for your brain and nervous system isn't finding another answer.
Sometimes it's closing the tabs, putting the phone down, and reminding yourself:
"I know enough for now."
At The Neurodiverse Network, we’re a neuro-affirming Gold Coast psychology clinic based in Burleigh Heads, offering ADHD and Autism assessments, therapy, and NDIS supports for children, teens, and adults.
Our team of Gold Coast psychologists provide neurodiversity-affirming care, recognising and celebrating the strengths of every individual.
We provide a range of services including:
Gold Coast ADHD assessments and therapy for adults and children
Gold Coast Autism assessments and support across the lifespan
Individual counselling and emotional regulation support
NDIS psychology and functional capacity assessments
Neurodiverse support groups and online workshops
Our psychologists draw on lived experience and evidence-based approaches to create a space where neurodivergent people feel safe, understood, and empowered.
Whether you’re seeking a Clinical Psychologist on the Gold Coast, a neuro-affirming therapist near Burleigh Heads, or NDIS support, our team is here to help you navigate your journey with compassion and clarity.
Located in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast — close to Miami, Palm Beach, Robina, and Varsity Lakes.
Learn more about our neuro-affirming care or book an ADHD or Autism assessment here.
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